In the cover feature article of the journal, Science, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign describe a unique process for geometrically transforming two dimensional (2D) micro/nanostructures into extended 3D layouts by exploiting mechanics principles similar to those found in children’s ‘pop-up’ books.

3D microstructures of device-grade silicon formed using concepts similar to those in children’s ‘pop-up’ books. The images correspond to colorized scanning electron micrographs. The silicon has a thickness of 2 microns.